While it might seem hyperbolic to claim that “sitting is the new smoking,” extensive research supports that sedentary individuals encounter more health issues compared to those who are more active. Office employees who spend the majority of their eight-hour days seated are more likely to experience problems such as daytime fatigue, hypertension, and musculoskeletal pain than their more active peers. Although tools like standing desks have proven effective in reducing these physical ailments and enhancing productivity, the optimal type of workstation—whether stand-biased, sit-stand, or traditional—for promoting physical activity and preventing health issues remains unclear.
A team led by Tricia Lynn Salzar, DrPH, Kaysey Aguilar, PhD, and colleagues from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health conducted an in-depth study to address these uncertainties. They monitored the computer usage and activity levels of 61 office workers over ten days to assess discomfort and develop potential remedies. Published in the IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, their research stands out for using computer utilization as a marker of work productivity across different workstation types.
The study involved 79 full-time adult office workers at a major university, monitored from 2019 to 2020. Participants were divided into three groups according to the type of workstation used: stand-biased, sit-stand, or traditional, with the latter serving as the control group. Stand-biased workstations typically feature a fixed surface at standing elbow height. They may include a drafting stool or chair with an extended cylinder, whereas sit-stand workstations consist of desktop units or those with a fully adjustable height surface paired with a standard office chair.
Researchers collected various data, including demographic information, how participants utilized office accessories like footrests, monitor arms, and keyboard trays, and the duration of standing at their workstations. They also gathered feedback on discomfort in various body areas, such as the neck, back, and shoulders. Computer usage was monitored through hidden data-logging software to measure productivity. At the same time, physical activity was tracked using an activity sensor that quantified activity levels and energy expenditures throughout a workweek.
The analysis revealed no significant differences in keystrokes among the groups, but the stand-biased group reported a higher word count and more errors than the traditional group. Furthermore, 24-hour activity data showed that the stand-biased group spent more time standing and less time sitting and transitioned less frequently per hour compared to their traditional counterparts. Regarding discomfort, 65 per cent of all participants reported neck issues, and 80 per cent of those at conventional workstations experienced lower back pain, compared to 51.7 per cent in the stand-biased group.
Concluding the study, Aguilar highlighted, “The risk of health problems from sedentary work can be mitigated through alternative desk options such as sit-stand or stand-biased workstations. These solutions not only promote better health but also support the high productivity levels that employers expect.” This reassurance about the potential benefits of these alternative workstations instils confidence in their effectiveness.
More information: Tricia Lynn Salzar et al, Stand-Capable Workstations Reduce Occupational Sedentary Time Among Administrative Workers, IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors. DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2024.2362720
Journal information: IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors Provided by Texas A&M University
